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F. P. DURANDO.

' HOLDER FOR PAPERS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES. N9. 346,845. Patented Aug. 3,1886.'

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N. FtTERs. Pinko-Lithographer. Washington. a Q

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS P. DURANDO, OF VEST CHESTER, NEIV YORK.

HOLDER FOR PAPERS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 346,845, dated August3, 1886, I Application filcd October 31,1885. Serial No. 18I,520. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANors'P. DURANDO, a citizen of the United States,residing at Vest Chester, in the county of \Vestchester and State of NewYork, have invented new and useful Improvements in Holders for Papersand Similar Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of devices used for holding papers,pamphlets, and magazines aud keeping their pages spread open while beingread, and the purpose thereof is to provide a simple, cheap, andconvenient device for this purpose, which is capable of being used alsoas a rack or inclined rest.

My invention consists in the several novel features of construction andcombinations of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and definitelypointed out in the claims annexed to this specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is aperspective view ofa device illustrating my invention when in use, the out lines of thepaper or book being shown by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a detail view ofthe base-piece. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the fastener.

In the said drawings, the reference-numeral l designates a block, of anysuitable material, having a transverse slot, 2, formed therein, the sidewalls of said slot being undercut, as shown. Upon each end of the blockare attached laterally-extending arms 3, of a length suitable forsupporting the opened leaves of a paper or pamphlet.

The numeral 4 denotes a bar, formed of wood or other material, andhaving a width about equal to that of the slot 2, said bar having incross-section substantially the same form as the slot, save that itsouter edges, 5, are slightly concaved. The bar 4 is divided by a slit,6, extending from one end to a point not far removed from the other end,said slit increasing in width as it approaches the latter point, anddividing the bar 4 into two prongs, 7, each diminishing in thickness asit approaches the solid portion 4 of the bar.

The manner of using this device is as follows: The prongs of the bar 4,being inserted in the notch 2 of the block, are pushed forward until thesolid portion or handle 4 reaches the slot. The paper, pamphlet, ormagazine is then placed between the prongs 7 in such manner thatits backis grasped by them, whereupon the block 1 is pushed forward, causing theprongs to close with considerable force upon the object between them Theleaves may then be opened and sustained upon the laterally-extendingarms 3.

It will be seen that by making the device of wood or other inexpensivematerial it may be produced very cheaply. It is, moreover, ex-

ceedingly convenient in use, as it may be attached and detached easilyand quickly.

. Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is- 1. A holder forpapers, pamphlets, and magazines, consisting of a pronged bar engagingwith a dovetailed or undercut groove in a block which is movable uponsaid bar, substantially as described.

2. A-holder for papers and other articles,

consisting of a pronged bar having a handle, in

combination with a block having a dovetailed or undercut groove in whichsaid bar fits, and provided with laterally-extending arms, substantiallyas described.

3. A holder for papers and similar articles, consisting of a bar havingprongs which decrease in size from their open ends toward the handle, incombination with a block having a dovetailed or undercut groove in whichsaid prongs are movable, and provided with laterally extending arms,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS P. DURANDO.

WVitnesses:

JAMES L. BIsHoP, ROBERT MAITLANI).

